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Digital self-defence

The government in Pakistan is extending its system of Internet censorship and surveillance. But Pakistani Internet activists are resolute in their defence of freedom of information in the face of state interference and are receiving support from international human rights initiatives. By Marcus Michaelsen

The weavers of Kashmir

Faith leaders call to keep EU's religious freedom envoy

Christian, Jewish and Muslim representatives have criticised the European Union's decision to drop its special envoy for religious freedom. A leading Jewish figure called it "the wrong signal for Europe."

Egypt: a state serving the military

Since the coup of 2013, there has been a process of structural change within the Egyptian state, where civilian institutions have fallen under the sway of the security apparatus.

No ulterior motives, just tea

Since 2015, war has been raging in Yemen – a country about which people in Europe know astonishingly little. Cologne-based writer Guy Helminger visited Yemen in 2009, six years before hostilities began. He describes his experience in his book "Die Lehmbauten des Lichts" (Clay buildings of light). Interview by Gerrit Wustmann

Imprisoned Iranian rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh on hunger strike over prison conditions

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been on hunger strike, protesting against prison conditions. Her supporters, among them EU parliamentarians, fear for Sotoudeh's life.

What now for many Lebanese?

Accusations of Blasphemy

Fatwas promoting the death penalty for perceived acts of blasphemy are rare in Indonesia. Yet a number of religious commentators have argued that moderate Islam in Indonesia is only a myth of the past. Akh Muzakki takes a look at the development of recent years